Visa Frauds: WikiLeaks exposes scam in Tamil Film

Chennai, Sep 8: The whistle-blower WikiLeaks has taken a hand on the Tamil Film Industry (Kollywood) after exposing a chain of fraud visa scam.

WikiLeaks leaked "India Biannual Fraud Update" - a cable by Chennai Consulate sent on Oct 13, 2009. The cable unearthed few scams of on the name of dance troupe.

The cable has been published as stating, "an investigation by the Chennai Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU) in 2008 uncovered a visa fraud racket through which famous Tamil film actors and industry associates assisted mala fide applicants to obtain B1/B2 visas, purportedly to scout movie locations."

"Over two hundred applicants applied for visas under this scheme, and 95 were issued. 38 of those applicants are confirmed overstays who are currently illegally present in the United States. FPU revoked the visas of 56 other individuals, mostly Tamil film stars and industry associates, for their direct role in this visa scheme," added the cable.